THE THIRD INVESTIGATION

[strangerpeople]

THE THIRD INVESTIGATION

[As Friday dawns, all seems peaceful. No screaming. No electricity. Nothing in the bathrooms. All is quiet. However, it is a Friday, so there's no guarantee anymore that someone hasn't taken up Marie's offer. Even if they haven't, it's clear time is running out for a guaranteed means of escape. At least, if what Marie claims is true.

It's probably a good idea to look around and check up on people and places before going about one's normal day, regardless. Better safe than sorry, right?]

Comments

[backuphero]

No, I got up, I wasn't in bed. I think around three. Had to use the bathroom, and... keep waking up at weird times. Messed up staying awake - wait, fuck.

[Abruptly, he's struggling to stand, trying to use Yurick's hand to pull himself upright somehow though the angle is all wrong.]

It's Friday - did they - where's my -

[He's not making any sense even to himself at this point and trying to move that much was a bad idea. He's already sickly pale, but there's a greenish tinge to his face when he slumps back down, and he swallows hard against the room's spinning.]

[theserpentsmiles]

[DO NOT. Nagisa immediately moves to stop Jonathan from getting up, that's not going to help anything.]

Don't move. We need you to stay still and rest right now. One thing at a time.

[He has more questions, but he won't overwhelm him. There's a lot to process, here, and Jonathan is already short on processing power.]

[backuphero]

Nagisa, did I give you the whip?

[He's still wild-eyed, even as he has to keep swallowing against the nausea he managed to make worse. He won't be trying to get up again anytime soon, that's for sure...]

[theserpentsmiles]

No. I returned it to you and it hasn't come up since...

['Where's my' whip, then? Is that it? Did he have it with him when he was attacked?]

[backuphero]

[He did have it when he left the room, and yes. But he can't remember more than that...]

I... but I should... it's Thursday, so I took it with me, where....

[theserpentsmiles]

...Jonathan, what's the last thing you can remember? Do you remember meeting Passepartout-san at all last night?

[Because the guy sure is right next to you. And quite dead.]

[backuphero]

[Jonathan very slowly, almost gingerly shakes his head.]

I can't... I think maybe but it's a blur. Something was wrong... I can't remember, I can't remember if I did or if - is he miss... ing?

[His voice trails off midword and only barely picks back up. His head freezes before he can keep shaking it, because that sure is a dead man over there.]

[theserpentsmiles]

[Sure did find him.]

Finch-san found the two of you at the same time - I came in when I heard her shout. I....thought you were dead, too, at first.

[Praise everything that thought was wrong.]

CW: impending vomiting

[backuphero]

[ There are really people who would be hurt if he died who aren't - her.

His head aches too much for that to matter. Another man is dead. There's a dead man inches away and even having everyone close by can't make that leave his mind. His head hurts and it's too bright and oh god Passepartout never did anything to anyone, what the fuck....]

I - I think I'm gonna puke....

[theserpentsmiles]

[He speaks to anyone who's nearby enough-]

Do we have a bowl or anything?

[Attention back to Jonathan.]

Take your time, alright? And don't move any more than necessary. I'll stay right here, so if you need or remember anything, tell me.

[earietale]

I-I can get something. I'll be back!

[And she sprints out the door, finding a bit of purpose this time even if it's a small bit.

She's back a minute or two later, carrying a white mixing bowl.]

Will this do?

What is a posting order? Who even knows....

[backuphero]

[Well, he's putting that to its currently intended use, Barbara, but he thanked you first, at least....]

potential emeto warning continues

[backuphero]

[This isn't the first time this has happened. This isn't the first time he's needed Nagisa to take care of him, instead of doing what Akira asked of him. Being dependent on others is something Jonathan has never particularly enjoyed, and when it's someone he should be protecting he really can't stand it. He hates being sick even more.

He is miserable and he can't even give that voice, because if he opens his mouth he's pretty sure words won't be the only thing leaving it. So instead he grabs Nagisa's hand and squeezes it - a silent "thank you", a silent "I'm sorry", a silent "I'm glad you're here". His head hurts too much and his stomach is too unsettled to be angry and yell at people.]

Re: potential emeto warning continues

[theserpentsmiles]

Thank you, Finch-san. That's perfect.

[One hand stays in Jonathan's and he presents the bowl with the other. Now that he's sure Jonathan is mostly alright - at the least, not dead or dying - Nagisa is back to steady as the rising tide. Four weeks here, and he's not giving in.

What doesn't kill him teaches him more.]

If you need to. Alright? Deep breaths.

emeto warning: it's not potential anymore

[backuphero]

Barbara you're a saint.

[Jonathan's voice is soft and shaken and weary, exhausted on top of queasy, but he's beyond grateful, and that hopefully does come through.

He only lets go of Nagisa's hand to accept the bowl and steady it with both of his, and... well, deep breaths only mean the expected happens faster, as he practically curls up over the thing. It's not as though there's that much in him, but with the headache and the knowledge that someone else is dead, and he couldn't stop it... it takes some time before his body stops trying to wrench the sheer despairing horror out of itself and it's over.]

...I hate this. Can't remember... shit.

[He spits, one last time, and shuts his eyes.]

[earietale]

I-it's no problem, really. I'm just...glad you're still here.

[As she says this, she goes behind him and holds his hair back a little bit. It is a little long, and if he's still a...somewhat normal person, so she's going to assume he doesn't want vomit in it.]

[backuphero]

[Her hands were like her hands. It's maybe weird that Jonathan can notice that, but with Barbara so close and doing something he knows his partner would do it'd be even weirder if he didn't compare the two of them.

It takes a moment, once he's sure he's done, but - ]

Thanks. That... thanks.

[It takes a serious effort to not just lean back against her, and shove the bowl out at arm's length to whomever.]

[losergod]

[ Hi, he's done touching the body. ]

Mister Morris, you need to be still. You have a concussion. I've bandaged the injury on your head--there was a gash on it. But if you don't keep still and try to keep activity to a minimum, you may worsen it.

[backuphero]

Thanks. I... but he's dead, I should be helping.

[Dammit why can't he do the thinks right now -]

[losergod]

No, you should be resting. Doctor's orders. You're hurt.

[ Please listen to him he begs you. ]

[backuphero]

Were you mad at me?

[It's an important question, but he has the worst timing. He isn't struggling or anything, though, he can be a good patient, honest!]

[losergod]

... About what?

[ He's so confused. ]

No, I'm not mad at you. I will be mad if you hurt yourself worse, though.

[backuphero]

The trial. Naoya. You said I knew what you meant and I didn't. I don't.

[Keeping his breathing even and shallow helps to keep the nausea at a level he can manage, but it's hard when even C is worried for him.]

[losergod]

... Oh. That. You were innocent. I still believe in your innocence now. Besides, you're not a bad person, Mister Morris. Someone who tries so hard to help others to their own detriment can't be.

[ And he will pause. ]

You need hydration.

[backuphero]

Can it wait until... not here. I don't want to... not in here. Please.

[It's a little much to break down, all the fancy stuff C said before that last bit. But he believes in him. He wasn't angry, he was... him. God. He was him.]

...thanks. For saying all that.